Karnataka - Mysore   

Catch a glimpse of Mysore city from Chamundi Hills

— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Visual treat: Tourists can soon enjoy an aerial view of Mysore city from Chamundi Hills.

MYSORE: There is a visual treat in store for those who plan to visit Mysore during the Dasara festivities this time around — a panoramic view of the city from atop Chamundi Hills.

It has been decided to install telescopes at a watchtower in the hills. The concept has been inspired by a similar facility at Doddabetta in Ooty that enables tourists to get a close-up of the distant mountain peaks.

The proposal was first mooted by the C.H. Vijayashankar, MP. Following a direction from Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, a high-level delegation comprising officials of the tourism and forest departments, and Mr. Vijayshankar and others visited Chamundi Hills on Saturday to look for a suitable site.

A two-acre plot of land is required to install facility that will help get a close-up view of the KRS, Mysore Palace, and a set of other heritage structures from the Chamundi Hills.

The proposal is to install at least four high-resolution telescopes. This will enable the tourists to get a view of Chamaraja Circle, Town Hall, Clock Tower, Gordon House and Crawford Hall. A close-up view of the Kukkarahalli and Karanji lakes too can be caught from the hills. The new facility will be ready by Dasara. The authorities do not see any major problem in allotting forest land for the purpose since no clearance is required from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests if the land to be transferred does not exceed one hectare.

The MP directed the officials to get ready a blueprint of the project.

However, there is no consensus on the proposed ropeway project at Chamundi Hills. Local elected representatives have expressed their opposition to it on environmental and religious grounds.

Mr. Vijayashankar has said that it defiles the sanctity of the Chamundeshwari temple, the local MLAs have pointed out that the Chamundi Hills gradient was not steep enough for a ropeway.

Though no work order has been issued, the tender has been awarded and it is awaiting government review.

Mr. Vijayshankar said that the ropeway was not required.

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Catch a glimpse of Mysore city from Chamundi Hills

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